The top-seed Chicago Blackhawks will face the eighth-seeded Nashville Predators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blackhawks and Predators have faced off two times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before this year, both times being in the first round. The Blackhawks won both of those series on their way to winning the Stanley Cup both times. Here is a little Nashville Predators versus Chicago Blackhawks playoff history.
Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks Playoff History
2010 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Nashville Gets on the Board First
The Predators entered the third period of Game One trailing 1-0 in Chicago, courtesy of Patrick Kane. All momentum was in favor of the Blackhawks, but one bounce swung all the momentum to the Predators. J.P. Dumont shot the puck on a surprised Antti Niemi, and as it rolled past Niemi, it hit the post and went in. That moment changed the game as Nashville scored the next three goals to steal Game One on the road with a score of 4-1.
Predators Regain the Series Lead
The Blackhawks held the Predators scoreless in Game Two, and tied the series up at one game apiece with the series going to Nashville. Both teams scored just once in the first period but the second period was a different story. The Predators took the lead and never looked back scoring the last three goals for the second time in the series and winning 4-1 again.
Blackhawks Take Control of Series
The Blackhawks won the next game to tie the series at two games apiece, and never trailed again. The Blackhawks won Game Four holding the Predators scoreless for the second time in the series. In Game Five the Blackhawks were trailing and shorthanded with under a minute left, but Kane got the shorthanded goal to force overtime. Marian Hossa scored in the overtime to give Chicago the 3-2 series lead. The Blackhawks won Game 6 5-3 to eliminate the Nashville Predators.
2015 Western Conference Quarterfinals
One Overtime Was Not Enough
The Predators opened up Game One chasing Chicago’s Corey Crawford from the net, scoring three goals in the first period. When the teams emerge from the locker room in for the second period Scott Darling was in net for the Blackhawks, and that sparked something in the Blackhawks. Chicago matched Nashville’s three-goal period to tie the game up heading into the third period and eventually into double overtime. In double overtime Blackhawks Duncan Keith hit the game winner from just in front of the blue line to stun the Predators.
Now Two Overtimes Was Not Enough
After both teams swapped dominating performances in games two and three, the series had another instant classic. Nashville carried a 2-1 lead heading into the third period at the United Center in Chicago. They were just one period away from sending the series back to Nashville tied, or so they thought. The Blackhawks came out dominating the third period which resulted in Brandon Saad getting the game-tying goal. and sending the game into overtime. However it wouldn’t be until the third period when Chicago’s Brent Seabrook netted the game winner and put the Blackhawks up 3-1 in the series.
Nashville Laid to Rest
With their backs against the wall the Predators won Game Five in Nashville with ease, but coming back to Chicago was going to be an issue. Even though Game Six was in Chicago the Predators came out firing ,scoring three goals in the first period, and sent Darling to the bench. Crawford replaced him with the score being 3-1. From there on out it was a lot like Game One of the series. The Blackhawks scored the next three goals, winning the game 4-3 and the series 4-2.
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